WWF and IKEA are working together to safeguard and manage precious natural resources and transform business for the benefit of people and planet. Through engagement, innovation and advocacy, the partnership is driving the development of more sustainable cotton and timber markets.

Since 2002, we have worked to improve forest management and fight illegal logging, as well as reduce water and pesticide use and improve livelihoods in cotton farming. And today we are collaborating with other companies and networks to shape progressive regulations and stimulate sector-wide innovation.

Working with WWF’s Forests and Markets Practices, our combined expertise and market power give us the ability to influence entire markets and inspire sustainable business practices, delivering conservation and resource stewardship that would not otherwise be possible.

Reports

WWF and IKEA

Cotton Project Report

- Harvest data 2015

Forest programme

- A partnership for change

The world’s forests are vital for a living planet. That’s why we work together to promote responsible forest management, good governance, and transparency in trade. We want to help ensure forests can meet the needs of present and future generations. Together we make a difference.

Ecoration

Many people taking small steps can achieve great things in our world - like simple climate-smart solutuons at home. With a little effort, it's easy to do. WWF and IKEA have been working together to find solutions for a more sustainable life at home in this magazine.

Sustainable Life at Home

IKEA and WWF Project Brief

There are billions of people who want to live more sustainably and consume in a more sustainable way. Many want to contribute to a better future but may not know how to lesson their impact on the environment.

An Opportunities Guide for Retailers and Shopping Centers

News

News:

Smallholders — our best hope for sustainability

Vietnam is one of the world’s largest exporters of wood and wood products. Overall exports in 2016 were valued at nearly $7 billion. Yet its forests, ravaged by war and degraded by logging and land clearance, contain almost no untouched primary forest and the country imports a significant amount of timber, some still from unsustainable sources that drive deforestation in neighbouring countries. A joint venture with home furnishing giant and WWF corporate partner, IKEA, SBARP promotes responsible production by small-scale producers across Vietnam, Lao PDR and Cambodia, supports government forest restoration plans and helps the private sector meet legal requirements

Marrying commerce and conservation in the Carpathians

In Europe, we often look to the great tropical rainforests of the world for beauty, inspiration and diversity. Yet on our doorstep there is still natural heritage beyond compare. Forest Stewardship Council certification (FSC) and World Heritage recognition are both critical in the fight for Europe’s ancient beech forests. Protecting this heritage is as much a socio-economic and cultural endeavour as it is a scientific one, requiring a marriage of commerce and conservation. And this is precisely the approach that WWF has pursued for more than a decade in partnership with local communities, business and government, IKEA included.

IKEA comes top in international cotton ranking report

The majority of international companies using most cotton globally are failing to deliver on cotton sustainability according to new independent research by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) UK, Solidaridad and WWF.

WWF and IKEA are starting a new project in Thailand to identify opportunities for smallholders to manage responsible rubber plantations and harvest wood from rubber trees. Once successful approaches are established, the partnership will support stronger legislation and improved certification criteria that help smallholders.

Comparing organic, conventional and Better Cotton

In a new project, WWF and IKEA will analyse and compare the environmental impact producing cotton in different ways. The project will examine impacts on soil, water and cotton farm surroundings, as well as considering socio-economic impacts in the Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Punjab areas in India.

Pilot projects for major environmental gains

WWF and IKEA are running a pilot project in India with the aim of delivering more environmental benefits from joint cotton projects. A total of 6,000 project farmers will be trained by a specialist team in "Better Management Practices" in line with the Better Cotton Initiative standard system. This will include training for drip irrigation system installation in cotton fields for more efficient water use. The project will be implemented in nine of the largest cotton-growing districts in the state of Gujarat.

Water and carbon footprint measured in the Better Cotton Initiative Project

WWF and IKEA are using the "Cool farm tool" developed in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen to measure carbon and water footprints from selected cotton projects in India. The aim is to compare conventionally grown cotton with "Better Cotton" and to highlight the potential for reducing the footprint of cotton production systems. The study will be conducted in Punjab, Maharashtra and Gujarat.